OBJECTIVE To provide information and recommendations for women and their physicians when making decisions about the management of lymphedema related to breast cancer. OPTIONS Compression garments, pneumatic compression pumps, massage and physical therapies, other physical therapy modalities, pharmaceutical treatments. OUTCOMES Symptom control, quality of life, cosmetic results. EVIDENCE S...

The World Health Organization document (WHO, 2010), Wound and Lymphoedema Management, stresses the need to integrate lymphoedema, chronic oedema and wound care (Bolton, 2010). Due to skin changes that occur in patients with chronic oedema, there is the potential for venous ulceration to occur (Hampton, 2010). Thus, dressings are required to manage infection and exudate. Conditions such as lymph...

OBJECTIVE To investigate the ultrasonic effects of progressive resistance exercise (PRE) for the treatment of patients with breast cancer-related lymphedema (BCRL). SUBJECTS AND METHOD The 32 patients with diagnosed BCRL were randomly divided into two groups: the PRE group and the non-PRE group. After complex decongestive physiotherapy, PRE was performed by 0.5 kg dumbbell while wearing a com...

[Purpose] Breast cancer-related upper extremity lymph edema is known to cause physical, functional and psychological impairments in women after modified radical mastectomy. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of phase I Complex Decongestive Physiotherapy (CDP) on physical functions and depression levels in women with breast cancer-related upper extremity lymph edema. [Subjects ...

BACKGROUND More than one in five patients who undergo treatment for breast cancer will develop breast cancer-related lymphedema (BCRL). BCRL can occur as a result of breast cancer surgery and/or radiation therapy. BCRL can negatively impact comfort, function, and quality of life (QoL). Manual lymphatic drainage (MLD), a type of hands-on therapy, is frequently used for BCRL and often as part of ...

OBJECTIVE To define the immediate and long-term volumetric reduction following complete decongestive physiotherapy (CDP) for lymphedema. DESIGN Prospective study of consecutively treated patients. SETTING Freestanding outpatient referral centers. PATIENTS Two hundred ninety-nine patients referred for evaluation of lymphedema of the upper (2% primary, 98% secondary) or lower (61.3% primary...

53 year old female developed lower extremity lymphedema following a CVA Right sided hemiparesis, decreased range of motion and decreased strength in the right lower extremity, and increased tone and spasticity throughout the right upper and lower extremity Decreased strength, impaired balance (Tinetti), and increased limb heaviness affected her ambulation and ADL’s Interventions Complete Dec...

Recent research has shown that most individuals with secondary lymphedema can safely engage in aerobic, resistive, and flexibility type exercises during Complete Decongestive Therapy (CDT) phase 2; however, adherence to exercise remains low for this population. Since lymphedema is a chronic disorder, strict adherence to CDT phase 2, or self-management of symptoms, is necessary. In general, it a...